How Parents and Family Can Help

Encourage your student to establish strong relationships with advisers and faculty. College is an opportunity for your sons or daughters to begin making decisions on their own. It is critical for them to take responsibility for their choices of classes, schedules, and majors—they are the ones who must take the courses, do the work and get the grades.

Penn State University advisers are expert resources for them to use as they make these important decisions. Encourage your student to establish a good relationship with his or her adviser. That adviser will be a reliable source of information, someone your student can go to with any question or problem.

Maintain open communication about grades and academic progress. Many instructors will send “Mid-Semester Reports” to students who are doing below “C” work (late October and late March).

Support your student’s efforts to be academically successful.

Celebrate your student’s victories, and encourage him or her to seek out help when difficulties arise.

Encourage your student to get involved in student organizations. This provides another connection to the University and career-related skills.

Although it may seem helpful, please refrain from selecting a major for your student. Instead, help your student focus on his or her own abilities and interests and the career doors they open. We will be there to help them make good decisions. We have had years of experience working with academic decision-making. Please trust us to support your sons and daughters through this process. We have their best interests and their success at the core of our philosophy.

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